Global Class Action Filed Against Johnson & Johnson in The Hague International Court

International plaintiffs come together to fight against talc-related damages, claiming decades of carelessness and health damage around the world

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 - In the International Court of Justice in The Hague, a group of law firms representing women from more than 20 countries has filed a global class action case against Johnson & Johnson. The action, which is the biggest of its kind ever, accuses the business of intentionally selling talc-based goods that have been linked to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma without giving enough warnings or telling customers about the possible health concerns. The plaintiffs say that the risk of cancer from talcum powder was hidden by aggressive marketing and the withholding of bad scientific data. There have been a lot of cases in the United States, but this new worldwide lawsuit is trying to hold the firm responsible for selling talc goods around the world without an adequate warning about the risk of talcum powder cancer. Canada, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, and a number of EU countries are involved in the case. People in these countries say they were never told about the risks of using talc for a long time. The lawsuit asks for money, public apologies, and money to pay for an independent medical study into the long-term effects of talc exposure around the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that perineal talc use is "possibly carcinogenic to humans." This has led to worldwide worry over its continued use in personal care products. The class action case in The Hague is a big step up, saying that J&J's refusal to warn overseas customers breaks both consumer protection rules and basic human rights. The lawyers in charge of the case said that their goal is not only to get money for their clients, but also to get a worldwide ban on talc-containing powders for personal use. If the case goes forward, it might bring a lot of attention to how international companies deal with health risk disclosures in nations with different rules. Legal experts say that The Hague doesn't usually hear product liability cases like this one, but the rising amount of international evidence and the fact that talc is sold across borders make it a good place for this case. The move might also make health ministries around the world look at their talc safety standards and labeling rules again, especially in countries where the rules aren't as strict as they are in the U.S. or Europe.

This global class action could change the way international consumer safety lawsuits are handled. If it works, it might make it possible to hold other multinational companies responsible for not warning people about health hazards that come with products that are widely sold. It also sends a strong message that businesses can't use national laws to avoid being held responsible for damage done around the world. More countries might start using the same labeling standards or have corporations follow the toughest safety rules no matter where they sell their products.